Best Rob Elba Podcasts (2025)

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S8E429 - Pixies 'Doolittle' with Allan & Barb Vest (doubleVee) 1:15:19

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1h ago1:15:19

1:15:19

Returning guests Allan & Barb Vest of Oklahoma City-based doubleVee bring us a record considered by many to be one of the key alternative rock albums of the 1980s, 'Doolittle' by Boston's Pixies. Released in 1989, this collection of 15 short-but-potent songs was a thrilling shot of adrenaline that laid the groundwork for much of the nineties indie-…

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Discussing a Meditation Mentioned in 365 Days of the Warrior 24:51

4d ago24:51

24:51

By Sensei Michelle

51
S8E428 - Microdisney 'Everybody Is Fantastic' with Alexei Shishkin 1:19:40

4d ago1:19:40

1:19:40

Hailing from Cork, Ireland, songwriters Cathal Coughlan and Sean O'Hagan formed the band Microdisney in 1980. After relocating to London in 1983, the band recorded six Peel Sessions for BBC Radio and released their debut album for Rough Trade called 'Everybody Is Fantastic'. This week's guest, musician, filmmaker, podcaster and radio host Alexei Sh…

1
Sifu Rob Jones Tells us About his WW2 Katana 21:58

9d ago21:58

21:58

For this episode, you really need to check us out on Twitter or Insta. We've posted a few pictures of this one of a kind weapon. Couple that with how much fun it is to talk with Sifu and we consider ourselves lucky to share today. If you're a fan of weapons and / or a fan of Sifu Jones you'll enjoy this episode from last year: https://www.buzzsprou…

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S8E427 - Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians 'Perspex Island' with Garry Messick 1:07:24

11d ago1:07:24

1:07:24

Returning guest Garry Messick (American Doom Podcast) brings us Robyn Hitchcock and The Egyptians' 1991 release, 'Perspex Island'. His third album for A&M records, it's yet another sterling example of Hitchcock's quirkily original - but always charmingly catchy - songwriting. Songs discussed in this episode: She Doesn't Exist (Robyn Hitchcock cover…

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An Interview with an Old Friend - Sensei Eddie Kiesel 23:37

16d ago23:37

23:37

What fun it is to run into someone you haven't seen in decades. That serendipity led us to this interview where we catch up on old times, look forward, and talk about Martial Arts. It turned out that a kobudo weapon was one of his favorite weapons. We did 3 episodes on Kobudo weapons. Here's the episode where we introduce them: https://www.buzzspro…

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S8E426 - Elton John 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road with Ralph Cavallaro 1:34:25

18d ago1:34:25

1:34:25

In November 1973, Rolling Stone record reviewer Stephen Davis infamously slagged Elton John's double album 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road', calling it - among other things: "a big fruity pie that simply doesn’t bake". Ahem. Now often regarded as Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin's magnum opus, returning guest and music-biz veteran Ralph Cavallaro joins …

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Overcome Unkindness with Compassion - Lao Tzu 24:22

23d ago24:22

24:22

Another page from the 365 Days of the Warrior book by Master Kelljchian and Sensei Tracey. (Buy it on Amazon!). This week they reference Lao Tzu. As usual, the conversation goes everywhere. One idea we visit is balance. Here is the episode we did on Master Brown's saying "A karateman's pride is his balance." https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episod…

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S8E425 - David Bowie 'Hunky Dory' (Revisited) with David J 1:16:30

25d ago1:16:30

1:16:30

For one of our first episodes back in 2018 (S1E3), we discussed 'Hunky Dory' by David Bowie with then co-host Barry Stock. Honestly, though, for our first 20 episodes or so we were still finding our way and weren't even playing any music clips at that point. So when this week's guest, musician David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets), suggested taking o…

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How Katana are Made 22:39

1M ago22:39

22:39

We hope you enjoy listening to this as much as we enjoyed earning about it and sharing it with you. With Sensei Derek's help, we cover the making of katana - everything from history to parts to quotes. Of course we mention our episode on the katana. Here it is in case you missed it: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/4878146 And, like every…

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S8E424 - Aimee Mann 'I'm With Stupid' with Robert Scheffler 1:03:45

1M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

New York City singer/songwriter Robert Scheffler joins us this week with an artist Rob somehow slept on all these years - Aimee Mann. Her second full-length, 1995's "I'm With Stupid", is the one that did it for Robert, and her deceptively biting songcraft and the record's dense, layered guitars made a true believer of your humble host. Songs discus…

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S8E423 - 'That Short Song Got Me High' BONUS Patron-curated Episode 57:20

1M ago57:20

57:20

For this special BONUS Episode, we asked our Patrons to send in a short song - less than 2 minutes - that got them high. As usual, they did NOT disappoint! Songs discussed in this episode: Fingertips - They Might Be Giants; Time: The Donut of the Heart - J Dilla; Just Another Soldier, Shit You Hear At Parties - Minutemen; Manifest - The Weakerthans…

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From the Code of the Samurai to Modern Warrior Philosophy - An Archived Episode 22:23

1M ago22:23

22:23

In this episode from 2020 we laugh more than we should as we tackle the idea that the code of behavior for ancient warriors still applies to karateka today. It turned out to be so much information than we expected. So we had to add a part 2. Click here to hear part 2: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/3753623 And we refer to the very first…

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S8E422 - Television 'Adventure' with Arad Evans 1:04:35

1M ago1:04:35

1:04:35

This week's guest, musician Arad Evans (The Whimbrels, Glenn Branca's Ensemble, Heroes Of Toolik), chose to discuss a record by groundbreaking New York City band Television that's NOT 'Marquee Moon'! The bands follow-up to that classic album, 1978's 'Adventure', is sometimes overlooked, but the clever songwriting and magnificent dual-guitar orchest…

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A Fun Interview with Elba "Cookie" Melendez 23:33

1M ago23:33

23:33

One of the great parts of recording this podcast is the amazing people we meet. Hanshi Melendez is a perfect example. She was So much fun to talk with. We met her through Hanshi Seymour. Jic you missed Hanshi Seymour's interview back in January, here it is: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/16424997 In the beginning of the show, we say tha…

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S8E421 - Bob Dylan 'Bringing It All Back Home' with Willie Nile 1:03:08

2M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Bob Dylan's fifth studio album - and his first to incorporate electric instrumentation - 1965's 'Bringing It All Back Home', marked a seismic shift in popular music that can still be felt today. This week's guest, Buffalo, NY-born singer-songwriter and rock-and-roll lifer Willie Nile, joins us to dissect this stunning game-changer of a record. Song…

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Kids Taught Us More Than We Taught them; A Master Kelljchian Adage 22:27

2M ago22:27

22:27

This adage from Master Kelljchian himself, and written in his book 365 Days of the Warrior, spoke to me, Sensei Jackie and Sensei Lydia - so we had to visit it in a little detail. It's jam packed with stories and what each one of us think he meant when he shared it with us. After you listen, share your thoughts with us. (And your stories from teach…

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S8E420 - Lou Reed 'Magic and Loss' with Alan Zweig 1:36:02

2M ago1:36:02

1:36:02

There's no getting around it, 'Magic and Loss', Lou Reed's sixteenth studio album released in 1992, is NOT a particularly easy listen. While often musically beautiful in an elegantly understated way, the themes of death and the relentless toll it can take on both the dying and ones who love them are both universal and at times uncomfortably persona…

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Aircraft of WW1 22:02

2M ago22:02

22:02

How lucky to have both Sensei Jay (the voice of the opening and closing) and Sensei Landyn join myself and Sensei Jackie today. I learned so much. We refer to our episode on Pappy Boyington (from WW 2). In case you missed it, here's a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/16773944 And at the very start of the show, we mention an episode …

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S8E419 - Todd Rundgren 'Runt. The Ballad Of Todd Rundgren' with Chris Stamey 1:09:26

2M ago1:09:26

1:09:26

Musician, songwriter and producer Chris Stamey (The dB's, Big Star Quintet) FINALLY ushers Todd Rundgren into the TRGMH universe with the 1971 release: Runt. The Ballad of Todd Rundgren. This beautifully written, performed and produced collection of songs totally fit teenage Stamey's 'lonely guy in a room by yourself' vibe at the time, and remains …

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Interview with Ellen Kanner - Author of Miami Vegan 23:54

2M ago23:54

23:54

Last year we aired a couple of episodes on nutrition. Since then, we've been hoping to get a vegan point of view. Boy did we get lucky to be introduced to Ellen Kanner. (Thanks Sensei Tracey) She's funny, knowledgeable and full of great ideas. If you love cooking - you'll be surprised at all the options. Even if you have no interest in becoming a p…

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S8E418 - Circle Jerks 'Wonderful' with Les Norris 1:10:21

2M ago1:10:21

1:10:21

Returning guest Les Norris (Radiobaghdad) channels his 16-year-old self as he joins Rob to unpack Circle Jerks' 1985 release, 'Wonderful'. Keith Morris and company dialed down the tempos and leaned into the metal for this, their fourth studio album, but at the end of the day their killer riffs and biting - at times goofy - sense of humor won us ove…

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Patience as a Super Power 24:29

2M ago24:29

24:29

Anytime we get to spend a few minutes with our friend Hanshi TD McKinnon, life is special. In this episode, his words on patience are truly inspiring. If you don’t know Hanshi McKinnon, check out these links. The first one is our introduction to him back in 2021: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/8625686 And this episode features Hanshi di…

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S8E417 - Old 97's 'Too Far To Care' with Tim Hinely 1:04:14

3M ago1:04:14

1:04:14

Returning guest Tim Hinely (Dagger Zine, Where The Wild Gigs Were) brings us Dallas, TX band Old 97's and their 1997 breakout release 'Too Far To Care'. Coming up during the alt-country boom of the 90s that also included bands like Wilco and Son Volt, their love of both Hank Williams AND punk rock shines through on this fine collection of tunes. So…

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Rumble in the Bronx - Movie Review 22:07

3M ago22:07

22:07

Summer fun is here and we're going to the (home) movies. Spoiler Alert - we recommend this movie even though it is 30 years old. First, I want to give credit to the Fushu Daiko Drummers for the change in the opening sounds. We recommend you follow them on Facebook and experience them live. They're amazing. Listen to our Fushu Daiko interview here: …

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S8E416 - The Gorillas 'Message To The World' with Philip King 56:50

3M ago56:50

56:50

Originally known as The Hammersmith Gorillas, UK's The Gorillas were often thought to be the missing link between Hendrix, glam and punk. This week's guest, musician Philip King (Felt, Lush, The Jesus and Mary Chain), brings us their smashing debut album, 1978's 'Message To The World' Songs discussed in this episode: You Really Got Me, Leavin' 'ome…

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Unheard Till Now - Mistakes, Stories and Surprises 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

In earlier episodes we called these our blooper reels. They have grown into a place where we revisit friends and subjects we covered in the last 6 months. This summer is a blockbuster, as they say. So many excuses to look at episodes you might have missed. For example we talk about our episode on Wabi Sabi. We did 2 episodes on it. Here's the lates…

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S7E359 - Led Zeppelin III with Karen Haglof 58:12

3M ago58:12

58:12

This week we take another swing of the hammer of the Gods with Led Zeppelin's 3rd release, Led Zeppelin III. Our guest Karen Haglof came up in the Minneapolis indie music scene in the late 70s, eventually moving to NYC and playing in several of no wave pioneer Rys Chatham's guitar ensembles and later with Band Of Susans, before taking a break to ea…

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S8E415 - PJ Harvey 'To Bring You My Love' with Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris (Charming Disaster) 1:04:53

3M ago1:04:53

1:04:53

This week, Ellia Bisker and Jeff Morris of Brooklyn based Goth-Folk duo Charming Disaster joins us to discuss PJ Harvey, and her stunning 1995 release 'To Bring You My Love'. "Little fish, big fish, swimming in the water Come back here, man, gimme my daughter..." Songs discussed in this episode: Love Will Tear Us Apart - PJ Harvey & Tim Phillips; B…

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Samurai Armor 22:31

3M ago22:31

22:31

Welcome to the second episode on Armor. Today it is Samurai Armor. Of course Sensei Jackie, Sensei Landyn and I had so many tangents while discussing this subject. Mostly about weapons through the centuries. And of course we've done episodes on so many of the weapons. Let's start with the swords. Here's a link to our first episode on swords. (There…

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S8E414 - David Torn 'What Means Solid, Traveller?' with Mike Baggetta 1:10:56

3M ago1:10:56

1:10:56

Fresh off a tour with his band mssv (Mike Baggetta, Mike Watt & Stephen Hodges), guitarist/songwriter Mike Baggetta brings us a record he received as a gift when he was in High School that changed the course of his musical life moving forward: the mindblowing 1996 release by guitarist, composer, and producer David Torn, 'What Means Solid, Traveller…

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Armor Through the Ages 23:45

3M ago23:45

23:45

We have fun discussing Armor, armor and more armor with Sensei Landyn. It was so much busier than I expected. How can you talk about armor, without mentioning the Gladiators. Here's the episode we did on Gladiators back in 2022: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/10465420 We also mention swords. We did a few episodes on swords. One of my fa…

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S8E413 - The Jimi Hendrix Experience 'Electric Ladyland' with Knox Chandler 1:18:46

4M ago1:18:46

1:18:46

Musician Knox Chandler (The Psychedelic Furs, Siouxsie and the Banshees) has made a career of using his guitar to create unique, otherworldly sound-scapes, working with a diverse array of acts including REM, Depeche Mode, Grace Jones, Marianne Faithful, Cyndi Lauper and many others. It's no surprise then, that the record that 'got him high' as a yo…

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S8E412 - 'That Guitar Playing In That Song Got Me High' BONUS Patron-curated Episode 1:14:44

4M ago1:14:44

1:14:44

For this special BONUS Episode, we asked our Patrons to send in a song where the guitar playing (be it a lead, riff, whatever...) gets them going, and got them high! Songs discussed in this episode: Funk #49 - James Gang; Killer Queen - Queen; Another Nail In My Heart - Squeeze; God Save The Queen - The Sex Pistols; Gypsy - Fleetwood Mac; Touch And…

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Cobra Kai - The Finale (With Spoilers) 24:49

4M ago24:49

24:49

Back in 2022, Kim and Matthew came on and we discussed their love of the series Cobra Kai. It took 2 episodes! Now that the series has ended, we decided to have them on to wrap it up. If you're a fan and want to weigh in - get in touch. Here are the first two episodes from 2022 if you'd like to listen. First Part 1: https://www.buzzsprout.com/47737…

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S8E411 - Sweeney Todd S/T Debut with Robert Dayton 1:11:37

4M ago1:11:37

1:11:37

Break out your glitter and stick some stars on your face, we're going full-on glam this week as author, artist and performer Robert Dayton (Cold Glitter: The Untold Story Of Canadian Glam) brings us Vancouver, Canada's Sweeney Todd and their 1975 self-titled debut. The band had a revolving door of members throughout the years - including a 16 year …

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The Power of Youth, the Power of Age - A Sentence From Master Kelljchian 24:58

4M ago24:58

24:58

I explain in the episode, so no details are needed here, how we decided to look at some of the thoughts Master Kelljchian shared in his book 365 Days of the Warrior. We reviewed the Book back in 2021.Heres a link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/7049776 We're so lucky to have Hanshi Malanoski share some thoughts at the end of this show. …

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S8E410 - The Damned 'Machine Gun Etiquette' with Karl Ueberbacher 1:09:54

4M ago1:09:54

1:09:54

Regular listeners of the show are already aware of Rob's lifelong love of all things The Damned. This week's guest, Karl Ueberbacher (Phoenix Records), brings us their third release, 1979s classic - and highly influential - 'Machine Gun Etiquette'. Is it the perfect punk record? What does that even mean?? Let's smash it up and find out!! Songs disc…

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Finally We Learn About Ip Man with a nod to Bruce Lee (his most famous student) 21:22

4M ago21:22

21:22

I say finally because, like many episode ideas, this one has been on my list since 2019 when we started recording. I'm so happy we took the time to learn what we could and share it. Ip Man was a strong and honorable practitioner. Ip Man studied Wing Chun and we did an episode on the beginning of Wing Chun. Here's the link: https://www.buzzsprout.co…

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S8E409 - Mr. Bungle 'California' with Dan Waldkirch 1:09:19

4M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Strap in kids, this week's guest, A&R Executive, playwright and composer Dan Waldkirch, brings us the third studio album by Eureka, CA experimental band Mr. Bungle, 'California'. This weirdly dark, schizophrenically eclectic 1999 release may not be for everyone, but if you're of the musically adventurous ilk, might be just what the doctor (of Psych…

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We Revisit Tukuan with Added Content 23:48

4M ago23:48

23:48

Welcome to June. In one sense, this is an archived episode. But it does contain new content that we didn't include back in 2020. Please check it out and let us know how you like it. And if you find yourself with a little extra money, please support us by clicking the link below. Thanks in advance. Support the show Thanks so much for listening and s…

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S8E408 - Jane's Addiction 'Nothing's Shocking' with Nick Ramirez (Worst Little Podcast) 1:07:08

4M ago1:07:08

1:07:08

In 1988 at the 31st annual Grammy Awards, a new category was introduced: Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental. That night, Metallica's '...And Justice For All' famously lost to Jethro Tull's 'Crest of a Knave', but another album was also nominated that evening: 'Nothing's Shocking', the debut studio album by Los Angeles band Jane'…

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Episode with E Words - Enjoy.... 21:36

5M ago21:36

21:36

Hope you enjoy another letter episode that includes the kata (form, dance) Empi Ha and so much more. As usual we refer to many subjects that we've discussed on past episodes. For example: we talked about Kobudo weaponry. We did many episodes on this subject. Here is the first one: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/5484121 We touch on eleme…

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S8E407 - Big Drill Car 'Album Type Thing' with Dan Bonebrake 1:12:27

5M ago1:12:27

1:12:27

When this week's returning guest, bass player/musician Dan Bonebrake (The Lightworkers, Dashboard Confessional, The Enablers...etc) was discovering punk rock in the late 80s, he was already well on his way to becoming a 'player' in his own right. Costa Mesa, California band Big Drill Car and their 1989 debut 'Album Type Thing' (or CD/Tape Type Thin…

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Thus a Child Learns - A Poem By Dr. Frederick Moffitt 24:52

5M ago24:52

24:52

I received a copy of this poem in school - a long time ago. The other day, we were talking about it and decided to bring the conversation to the podcast. Landyn, Sensei Jackie and I laugh quite a bit. Hope you do too. This isn't our first episode on teaching. Here's one from 2023: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/13330690 Somehow we ended…

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S8E406 - Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Original Cast Recording) with Arlan Feiles 1:25:19

5M ago1:25:19

1:25:19

In the spring of 1999, songwriter/recording artist Arlan Feiles received a call from Stephen Trask. Trask shared that he was the composer of a show running at the Jane St. Theater in NYC called Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and he was looking for a multi instrumentalist/vocalist for the show's first touring run in Boston. As soon as Arlan heard Trask'…

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Movie Review - The Real Mr. Miyagi - Fumio Demura 22:06

5M ago22:06

22:06

Fumio Demura is known for many things in Martial Arts. We did a biography of him back in 2020. Here's the link: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/episodes/5982394 What fun we had watching this movie, laughing and snacking. Somehow, in our review we mentioned Master Joe Hess. We've also done a biography on him: https://www.buzzsprout.com/477379/epis…

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S8E405 - The Fall 'The Frenz Experiment' with Richard Farnell 1:04:09

5M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

For some who had been following The Fall since 'Live At The Witch Trials' and 'Dragnet', 1988's 'The Frenz Experiment' with its more polished and slightly commercial sound might have seemed to be a bit of a sellout. Not so for this week's guest, Manchester record shop co-owner and bass player (The Suncharms) Richard Farnell. Catching them live at a…

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S8E404 - That Song By A LOCAL Band/Artist That Should Have Been Huge Got Me High BONUS Patron-curated Episode 1:27:39

5M ago1:27:39

1:27:39

Yes, technically EVERY band/artist is local to SOMEWHERE - but we asked our Patrons to send in a song by a band/artist they feel never quite got the recognition they deserved. A band that seemed to have it all, but never rose to the level of national/international prominence where they would be well-known outside their hometown/city/state...etc. Yo…

1
Uke - The Good, The Bad and The Crazy 23:58

5M ago23:58

23:58

First off - an Uke is a Japanese word meaning partner in Karate training. Have I got your interest? This episode has stories from Hanshi Malanoski and some feedback from followers of Hanshi Ray Batlle's Facebook page. I thank them both. We also tell a few stories of our own and maybe clear up some confusion for people who have just started training…